Stainless Steel

Used residentially for its contemporary and antibacterial appeal, stainless steel is finding another surge of popularity in kitchens today. Stainless steel countertops are a great complement to stainless steel appliances giving you easy maintenance and a smooth, high-tech look.

It is a practical countertop material because it is durable, impervious to water, easy to maintain, and can handle heat. A brushed stainless steel surface hides scratches and smudges ("wears") better than a highly polished one. To clean the surface, use a non-abrasive cleaner.

Look for a grade of stainless that contains a high content of chromium and nickel--this will increase its resistance to corrosion. Also look for a thick gage steel that won't dent easily such as 16 gauge (the higher the gauge the thinner the material). Material costs range about $65-135 per square foot. If considering a stainless steel countertop, contact restaurant suppliers, metal fabricators or consider a pre-fab countertop. When you get countertop quotes, be sure to ask about the option of fabricating the countertop with an integral sink.